Khaosan Road businesses told to cut noise pollution, or else!
Businesses in the backpacker haven of Khaosan Road have been warned to cut noise pollution otherwise, they will suffer legal consequences, due to complaints received from nearby residents. City Hall says businesses have 15 days to get their houses in order and regulate noise levels, or else!
After a gathering that brought together 30 members of the Khaosan Road Business Operators Association, representatives from surrounding communities, senior police officers, and officials from various agencies, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) issued a directive.
According to Deputy City Clerk Suksan Kittisupakorn, the BMA acted in response to increasing complaints from residents living near Khaosan Road, who have expressed frustration with the loud music and entertainment causing a disturbance in the popular backpacker destination.
Suksan said…
“The meeting resolved unanimously that operators of business establishments providing food and beverage services must control the volume of loud music or performances within 15 days.”
The following guidelines were specified:
- Venues that play music or stage live musical performances should be closed buildings with sound and vibration-proof walls.
- Average noise volume of establishments throughout business hours must not exceed 90 decibels.
- Maximum noise at any time must not exceed 110 decibels and the noise level that reaches communities must not exceed 10 decibels.
- The volume of concerts or recorded music must be turned down from time to time during business hours to give staff and patrons a break from exposure to loud noise.
- Loudspeakers are not allowed to be installed in front of business venues to prevent noise from disturbing residents.
- Sound metres must be installed and results shown via screen displays so that visitors can stay informed about noise levels.
Suksan added…
“The BMA will take drastic legal action against establishments that fail to correct sound levels within the 15-day period.”
At the meeting, officials reported that six business establishments had hosted concerts with excessively loud volumes that posed a threat to public health.
The number of complaints regarding the loud noise in the area increased steadily, with four received in October, five in November, four in December, and two in January.
